It transmits and receives a lot when you aren't using it.  Some phones do much 
more than others.

It periodically checks in with the nearest tower to make sure the system knows 
it is there.  A keepalive thing.  This isn't a lot of transmission, just a few 
packets back and forth.  I think it does this every few minutes or so.  Most 
phones I believe use the lowest power they can get away with when they are 
transmitting, in order to save power.  But if the nearest tower is further 
away, then they will increase their transmit power until they get a response 
from the tower.

Some phones -- I discovered that my latest phone is one -- transmit and receive 
much more information.  Mine periodically synchronizes my contact list with my 
contacts in gmail, which is nice in some ways, but involved a LOT of data back 
and forth.  I know because I can hear it in any radio that is in the vicinity 
when it starts doing its thing.

I have also heard the radio interference after I turned the phone OFF!!!  I 
have no idea what it is doing when it is supposedly off.  Still keeping in 
touch maybe, sending GPS coordinates?  Who knows?  I'm sure someone does...

So if you don't want anybody to know where you are, turn off your phone, take 
out the battery, and might as well take out the sim card just for good measure, 
although I think once the battery is out, nothing else is going to happen.

Dick






________________________________
From: PT Ferrance <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Mon, April 26, 2010 9:45:55 AM
Subject: CS>another question about cell phones

 
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone know of a cell phone radiation 
danger when the phone is not in use?  Does it only emit radiation when you 
are actually talking?  Or all the time???
Thanks.
PT